FYS-113 Death to the Death Penalty: Punishment in America

Course Description:
This course will explore the history of punishment in America, focusing on both the death penalty and the creation and development of the penal system. But this will be much more than an historical examination, as students will be required not only to know the information, but to use it for answering the question ‘why?’ or what are the justifications for punishment, how do they change, should efficacy or retribution be the guiding light, and other deep philosophical questions brought up by the whole concept of punishment in the criminal context. Students will need to use historical, philosophical, and media, as well as legal, perspectives on these issues, but finally will need to come to their own conclusions.